Why are players evaluated and how are teams put together?

A player evaluation is the numerical rating that a player receives that is representative of his skills in each of six areas: pitching, catching, throwing, hitting, infield, and outfield. The rating system is 1 through 10, 10 being the highest. Evaluations are assigned by the player's previous year coach or during an evaluation event. In competitive divisions Mustang through Pony, the evaluations are then used to place players on a team, making sure the talent is evenly spread among the teams. This is accomplished through team building using an impartial computer program. Each player's name is removed and they are assigned a unique number. During the team building process, the player's name is not used by the computer to assign him/her to a team, instead the assigned number and evaluation score is used. At McLean County PONY Baseball, we feel that balanced teams in competitve divisions provide an environment more conducive to fun. For younger divisions and our high-school division, teams are built by the division president, often based on coach input and the school the player attends.

What happens if my child does not meet his/her fund-raising commitment?

Each player is responsible for a fund-raising commitment of $75. Donating $75, or selling at least $180 of candy and/or pizza satisfies the commitment. $180 of candy/pizza sales equates to (PONY gets) about $75; in other words, PONY gets about40% of whatever is sold. If a player doesn't make a total of $180 in sales, you pay the remainder up to $75. So, for example, your son sells $120 in candy/pizza, 40% ($48) counts toward your $75 commitment, therefore you pay the additional $27.

Why does MCPB request that my child to wear only white baseball pants?

MCPB strives to have consistent team uniforms within each team.

What are the new equipment (bat /cleat) regulations for 2012?

McLean County PONY Baseball Inc. follows the official Pony League Rules and Regulations regarding equipment, specifically as it relates to bats and cleats as indicated below:

8 – EQUIPMENT

C. Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats manufactured for baseball play, which are round and not more than two and five eights inches in diameter at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable. Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine. Coach pitch bats will only be used in coach pitch using a safely ball.

D. Metal cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted. Alteration of metal cleats, such as sharpening, which might make them dangerous to participants, is specifically prohibited.

Please reference this information when advising customers regarding the purchase of bats and/or cleats for use in the Pony League.

What is the "White Hat"?

Each day of the season, a member or designated representative of the PONY Board will be circulating through the complex wearing his "White Hat." The "White Hat" is the complex supervisor for that day/period. Any questions, concerns, disputes or compliments should be brought to the "White Hat's" attention.

Refund Policy ExplanationFull refunds are available if written requests are postmarked by December 31st.Between January 1 and March 1 a $25 fee is deducted from the refund amount. No refund requests are accepted after March 1 unless a legitimate injury occurs that prevents the player from playing a majority of the season (with league president approval). All refund requests should be sent to: McLean County Pony Baseball, Inc., PO Box 1779, Bloomington, Ill. 61702.

PONY Fields at the SHIRA Complex LocationThe majority of games are played at thePONY Fields at the SHIRA Complexon East Ireland Grove Road in Bloomington, near the Towanda/Barnes Road. Click on the link above for a map location.